James Conley III says he was racially profiled while shopping at Old Navy

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Updated: 6:27 PM CST Feb 1, 2018

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WEBVTT RACIALLY PROFILED.STEVE: KCCI SENIOR REPORTER TODDMAGEL IS LIVE TONIGHT IN WESTDES MOINES.AND TODD THIS STORY IS NOWGETTING WORLD WIDE ATTENTION?SO MUCH ATTENTION THANKS TOCONELY'S FACEBOOK VIDEO POSTTHAT SHOWED WHAT HAPPENED INSIDETHE OLD NAVY STORE ON TUESDATODD: THE STORE CLOSEDYESTERDAY, AFTER THE FACE LOOKPOST UP ONLINE.IT WENT VIRAL ALL OVER THEWORLD, THE STORE OPEN AGAINTODAY AND JAMES CONLEY WENT TOMAKE SURE THAT WHAT HAPPENED TOHIM DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONEKNOWS.>> DON'T EVER COME TO OLD NAVY.THEY WILL STARE AT YOU IF YOUARE BLACK.TODD: THIS IS THE FACEBOOK POSTSTHAT SHOW THE WORLD WHATHAPPENED IS THAT THE FACEBOOKVIDEO HOST -- THE OLD NAVYSTORE.HE WAS WEARING AN OLD NAVY CODEWHEN HE WENT INTO THE STORE TOBUY CLOTHING.A CLERK STOPPED HIM AT THECHECKOUT COUNTER AND ASKED HIMIF HE WANTED TO PAY FOR THE CODEAND OTHER MERCHANDISE.HE HAD BOUGHT THE CODE FORHIMSELF LAST CHRISTMAS.>> IT IS SUPER RIDICULOUS RIGHTNOW.OLD NAVY.TODD: A STORE MANAGER TRIED TOSCAN THE COAT EVEN THOUGH IT DIDNOT HAVE ANY TAX.EVENTUALLY YOU CHECK THESECURITY VIDEO AND REALIZED THEMISTAKE, BUT HE DID NOTAPOLOGIZE.>> FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, IT WAS SOHUMILIATING AND EMBARRASSING.THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TODO TO A CUSTOMER.TODD: WHICH IS WHAT IN A NEWSCONFERENCE THAT HIS ATTORNEY'SOFFICE, HE ANNOUNCED THE NEXTSTEP.>> I WILL BE FILING A LAWSUIT.TODD: HE WILL FILE A CIVILRIGHTS COMPLAINT AGAINST OLDNAVY, AND THEN A CIVIL DAMAGESLAWSUIT.HE SAID THAT THE REACTION TO HISFACEBOOK POST MADE HIM REALIZEHOW IMPORTANT THIS WAS.>> IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONENATIONWIDE HERE'S MY STORY, IWAS ACCUSED OF SOMETHING I'VENEVER DONE IN MY LIFE.TODD: THE NAACP JOINED HIM AT ANEWS CONFERENCE.>> RACIAL PROFILING ISHUMILIATING, HURTFUL ANDOUTRAGEOUS.TODD: HIS WIFE JOINED HIM HEARTHE NEWS CONFERENCE.HAVE THREE KIDS AND THEY ALLLOVE TO SHOP AT OLD NAVY, HAVINGSHOPPED THERE FOR YEARS.THAT MAY NOT HAPPEN ANYMORE.

Man sues after videos showing racial discrimination go viral

James Conley III says he was racially profiled while shopping at Old Navy

An Iowa man whose viral social media post apparently shows racial discrimination has filed a lawsuit against the West Des Moines store where the incident took place.

James Conley III said he was accused of stealing the coat he was wearing into an Old Navy store because he is African-American. He said employees only backed off after he asked them to check store surveillance footage.

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At a news conference on Thursday afternoon, Conley said that he will file a lawsuit against Old Navy because of the incident.

The Iowa-Nebraska National Association for the Advancement of Colored People released a statement saying it finds the employees' treatment of Conley "deplorable," and the NAACP will investigate the matter further.

"Racial profiling is a systemic issue in Iowa, whether it be shopping while black or driving while black," the statement said.

Conley said he will first file a civil rights complaint and then a civil damages lawsuit. He said the nationwide reaction to his Facebook post made him realize how important the incident has become.

"It's just a blessing to see this nationwide and hearing my story out, to see them in the wrong and accusing me of something that I have never done in my life," Conley said.

"Racial profiling is humiliating," said Betty Andrews, president of the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP. "It is hurtful and it is outrageous."

Conley's wife joined him at the news conference. He has three children who used to love wearing Old Navy clothing, but not anymore.

Gap Inc. officials released a statement Wednesday, saying, in part, "At Old Navy, and across Gap Inc., we maintain a 'zero means zero' policy and we are actively investigating the situation.

"We are a company made up of diverse people -- from all backgrounds and cultures. We encourage diversity in thought, celebrate diversity in each other and demand tolerance and inclusion, always."

Attempts to reach Old Navy on Thursday were unsuccessful. A sign was posted outside the store Wednesday saying it was temporarily closed, but it has since reopened.

A Des Moines-area civil rights attorney said the company's handling of the incident is a "failure on all levels."

Officials with Gap Inc. told KCCI Thursday, "We reached out to the customer yesterday morning to apologize for the experience. Old Navy is a brand that stands for inclusivity and is deeply committed to ensuring all shoppers and employees are treated with respect and dignity.

"We are conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and are connecting with our teams to reiterate who we are as a brand and what we stand for. The investigation is ongoing; however, we can assure you discrimination of any kind is a direct violation of company policy.

"Profiling is not tolerated in our stores, and we will swiftly take action in accordance with our policies, beliefs and values."